Road Transport and Bridges, Shipping, and Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said three categories of passengers will receive a 25 per cent discount on metro rail and long-distance train services. "They are senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and students. However, they must present valid ID cards to avail of the discount," he told journalists after a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat. The minister said as Eid is approaching, efforts are being made to introduce the facility before Eid.

Although the possibility of implementing it before the upcoming Eid is somewhat low, it will definitely be ensured before the next Eid-ul-Adha, and these passengers will be able to travel with a 25 per cent ticket discount, he said. Responding to a question about how discounted tickets would be managed online, since train tickets are sold online, the minister said there will be an option available in the online system.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman rejected claims that the reciprocal trade agreement between Bangladesh and the US was signed abruptly just days before the recently held national election. He said the matter had been discussed in advance with the leadership of the country's two major political parties - BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami- and both of which had agreed to the deal prior to its signing.

"The US Trade Representative spoke to the heads of our two key parties before the elections and they also agreed to it. So it's not like we did this in the dark," Dr Khalilur said in response to a question on whether there had been any pressure to expedite the signing of the deal ahead of the recently held national election. The Foreign Minister said there are entry and exit clauses and the government can review it if it so desires. The Centre for Policy Dialogue recently said the agreement is "highly discriminatory" against Bangladesh, and must be revoked.

The chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Mohammad Abdul Momen, alongside two ACC commissioners Mia Mohammad Ali Akbar Azizi and Brigadier General (Retd) Hafiz Ahsan Farid, all resigned. They formally stepped down after meeting Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Ghani. According to ACC officials, the government earlier had indicated its unwillingness to continue with the commission headed by Momen. The members were asked to submit their resignation letters voluntarily to Bangabhaban within a day or two.

According to the ACC act, the chairman of the commission can resign at any time by citing personal reasons. A written resignation letter addressed to the president must be submitted at least one month in advance through the Cabinet Division. Typically, such letters are forwarded through the cabinet secretary or the ACC secretary, and become effective upon approval by the president. Momen, a former senior secretary, was appointed as the chairman of the anti-graft watchdog on December 10, 2024, for a five-year term.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) welcomed the government's decision to release Tk 2,500 crore against outstanding cash incentives for the export-oriented ready-made garment (RMG) and related sectors. BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan expressed deep gratitude and sincere thanks to the top levels of the government, including the Finance Minister, Commerce Minister, and the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, describing the move as a "critical and timely intervention" during the current crisis in the apparel industry.

The BGMEA president noted that the fund allocation brings significant relief to factory owners who are facing immense pressure to clear workers' wages, allowances, and bonuses ahead of the upcoming Holy Eid-ul-Fitr, alongside settled utility bills for electricity and gas. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance, the total allocation was granted in two phases under the first part of the third installment for the 2025-26 fiscal year: Tk 1,500 crore in the first phase and Tk 1,000 crore in the second.